This is the Seattle Sports Blog bringing you up to date current events of Seattle Sports. This blog has several writers who will discuss several sports related topics but mainly focus on Seattle Sports.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Seattle Sounders FC preview vs Vancouver Whitecaps

By Money Mike

The Seattle Sounders head north of the border to Vancouver, B.C. as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at Empire Field tonight at 7:30pm on KING 5. The Sounders have already locked up their playoff spot after the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City drew 1-1 last night and are now playing for at least a 2nd place finish in the West, trying to keep up with Real Salt Lake who are ahead of them on goal difference and also have a game in hand. This will be the final match played at Empire Field for the Whitecaps before they move to BC Place to finish their inaugural season.

Injury report:Seattle Sounders FC - For the Seattle Sounders. Terry Boss, Mike Seamon, Steve Zakuani and O'Brian White are all out. Mauro Rosales will miss 2-4 weeks with an MCL Sprain. Erik Friberg has a strained hip flexor and is listed as questionable. And lastly, James Riley has a concussion and is also listed as questionable.

Vancouver Whitecaps - For the Caps, Atiba Harris doesn't look like he'll play again this season after having right knee surgery earlier in the season. Bryan Sylvestre is out with left knee surgery, but that doesn't really matter because he's their #3 goalkeeper. Russell Teibert has a right toe laceration and he is out. John Thorrington is listed as probable with a left groin strain. And last but not least, Michael Nanchoff is listed as probable with a right IT band syndrome.

Suspensions:

Seattle Sounders FC - One player suspended for the Sounders and that is Tyson Wahl after caution accumulation. Picking up too many yellow cards.

Vancouver Whitecaps - Same for Vancouver, one player suspended for caution accumulation. That man would be Alain Rochat.

What to keep our eyes on in tonights game:

- With a few players missing for the Sounders, including Mauro Rosales, there is always a question of who the hell is gonna step up and make plays for the team. And they are stacked up with options.

- Some of the folks didn't get the news earlier that the Seattle Sounders have clinched a playoff spot after the Philadelphia Union drew 1-1 with Sporting Kansas City, but I don't see that changing Sigi Schmid's tactics. He's gonna continue to play the attacking game, it's just a question if the guys will follow it, if they don't, well, it'll be a problem.